HIV Wake Up Call

November 28, 2011 11:26 AM

As we approach the festive season NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is launching its ‘HIV Wake Up’ campaign.

Men who have sex with men continue to be the population group most at risk of HIV and the national HIV Wake Up campaign has been developed to deliver key messages about the benefits of regular HIV testing.

The earlier someone is diagnosed with HIV the sooner they can access treatment and care which will allow them to lead healthier lives.

From the end of November NHSGGC will be targetting men who have sex with men as part of the HIV Wake Up campaign through a mixture of specific websites and phone applications, including Gaydar and Grindr, gay commercial venues and also in the wider community.

Rachel McAdam, Senior Health Improvement Officer – Sexual Health, said: “New reports of HIV in Scotland have increased since 2004 and currently average between 300 to 400 per year.

“Men who have sex with men are the group most at risk of HIV in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and in 2010 they accounted for 31% of new diagnoses. 71% of all new HIV infections acquired in Scotland are amongst men who have sex with men

“The HIV Wake Up campaign is part of an ongoing response to the increase in numbers of men being diagnosed with HIV. We hope the campaign will encourage sexually active men who have sex with men to have regular HIV tests every six months.

“The earlier someone is diagnosed with HIV the sooner they can access treatment and care which will allow them to lead healthier lives.

“Condoms continue to be the most effective means of reducing HIV risk and are available free through all gay commercial venues in Glasgow and through NHSGGC’s Free Condoms scheme”

The HIV Wake Up campaign has been developed following extensive consultation with gay and bisexual men and builds on the learning from previous social marketing campaigns, including ‘Make Your Position Clear’.